HRI:UNArts: H-II: Stephen Michael Apatow Promotes World Rabies Education Initiative

PRLog (Press Release) - Apr. 11, 2011 - Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. The early symptoms of rabies in people are similar to that of many other illnesses, including fever, headache, and general weakness or discomfort. As the disease progresses, more specific symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation (increase in saliva), difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia (fear of water). Death usually occurs within days of the onset of these symptoms. -- U.S. CDC Rabies Information Site. [1]

According to the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), [2] rabies causes at least 55,000 human deaths annually in Africa and Asia. Almost all human cases of rabies result from bites by rabid dogs.

"Prevention at the animal source is the key strategy in dealing with rabies, and veterinarians are therefore crucial to its control," according to the GARC. "Today only 10 percent of the financial resources used to treat people after a dog bite would suffice to fund national veterinary services of the world to eradicate rabies in animals and stop virtually all human cases." -- World Veterinary Day to focus on rabies prevention: AVMA. [3]
In an effort to enhance rabies education initiatives, Humanitarian Resource Institute, the United Nations Arts Initiative and Pathobiologics International are collaborating in the promotion of a 192 country education initiative that will serve as a bridge into World Veterinary Day 2011 on April 30.  The goal is to raise awareness and encourage educators, public health professions, physicians and veterinarians to play a role role in in rabies prevention and control.

The activities available for participation are listed in the GARC Get Involved section of their web site and includes Campaigns,  Teaching a Rabies Education Class, Professional Participation as a Physician/Veterinarian and Fundraising.  Additional information is available online at:

http://www.rabiescontrol.net/EN/Get-Involved.html

The World Veterinary Association [4] created World Veterinary Day in 2000 as an annual celebration of the veterinary profession, falling on the last Saturday of April. The WVA, World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and Global Alliance for Rabies Control have partnered to promote this year's theme of rabies prevention.

For additional information on the Pathobiologics International Wildlife Rehabilitation & Information Node, visit:

http://www.pathobiologics.org

Related:

   * HRI:UNArts: Global Comprehensive Health Organization, One Health Commission Locates to ISU: Humanitarian Resource Institute, 3 March 2011.  Includes Yale School of Medicine: Yale Human Animal Health Project – A Center for “One Health” Studies (USA). Url: www.pathobiologics.org/btac/ref/aiie_ohc332011.html
   * H-II: Stephen Michael Apatow Named Ambassador for Vet2011 Global Initiative: World Veterinary Association, 9 February 2011. Url: www.worldvet.org/taxonomy/term/34?page=1
   * HRI:UNArts - One World, One Health: World Veterinary Day 2010: World Veterinary Association, 24 April 2010. Url: www.worldvet.org/node/6267

Country Music Association Artist H-II: Stephen Michael Apatow is founder of the Humanitarian Resource Institute and United Nations Arts Initiative. Since 1989, national project development and advocacy work included the formation of Humanitarian Resource Institute, to "Bridge Unmet Needs to Untapped Resources." As director of research and development for the Humanitarian University Consortium Graduate Studies Center for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Law, he promotes leadership development through strategic planning, critical analysis, expert think tank development for background discussions, peer reviewed data compilation and communications that engage decision makers and target audiences on the grassroots level in 192 United Nations member countries. Today, this work continues through the United Nations Arts Initiative and global promotion of "Arts Integration Into Education." He is also a Member/Publisher: American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).   As an artist, 2010 marked the release of his first album entitled "Country Goes Global." In 2011, Stephen was named an ambassador for the Vet2011 global initiative that celebrates World Veterinary Year and the 250th year  anniversary for the veterinary profession.

References:

1. U.S. CDC Rabies Information Site: Url: www.cdc.gov/rabies
2. Global Alliance for Rabies Control: Url: www.rabiescontrol.net
3. World Veterinary Day to focus on rabies prevention: AVMA. Url: www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/apr11/110415m.asp
4. World Veterinary Association: Url: www.worldvet.org

# # #

Humanitarian Resource Institute is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, established with a mission focus to "Bridge Unmet Needs to Untapped Resources" through the development of initiatives associated with economic, social, cultural and humanitarian issues worldwide.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/11430845/1